The San Diego Mesa College softball team began their 2023 campaign this past weekend at the Glendale Tournament in Los Angeles, California. The Olympians took the season opener against Mt. San Jacinto College 7-6 in dramatic fashion on a walk-off three run home run from Arianna Salazar. They proceeded to play well later that day defeating host team Glendale College 6-1.
The team had a more difficult time on Saturday falling to Ventura College 1-6 followed by another loss against Antelope Valley College 2-8 later that afternoon.
GAME 1: Mesa 7, Mt. San Jacinto College 5
Despite giving up 4 runs in the top of the first inning, the Olympians answered right back with 4 runs of their own during their next at bat. Ambria Guye and Carissa Topolinski started the rally both hitting singles. Arianna Salazar brought in the first run of the year with an RBI single bringing Guye home from second base. After a passed ball, Topolinski was able to score, cutting the lead in half 2-4. With two players on base, Avery Bark singled bringing home Jolene Giles and Salazar, equalizing the score 4-4.
The score remained deadlocked until the fifth and sixth inning when the Eagles were able to capture the lead scoring two additional runs giving them the 4-6 lead. This score would hold in place until the bottom of the 7th inning when Ariana Salazar was able to connect on a 3-run home run bringing home Hannah Anderson and Ambria Guye giving the Olympians the dramatic 7-6 walk-off home run.
GAME 2: Mesa 6, Glendale College 1
Pitching dominated the second game for the Olympians. Bailey Oftedahl pitched five complete innings striking out 4 and only giving up 1 earned run.
Ambria Guye (3 RBI's) and Arianna Salazar (2 RBI's) both homered. Valerie Castro was 1 of 2 with an RBI.
GAME 3: Mesa 1, Ventura College 6
Similar to the game against Glendale, the third game against Ventura College became a pitching duel . Despite both teams scoring 1 run in the first inning, the score stayed even until the bottom of the sixth inning when Ventura College strung together 5 runs giving them the 6-1 lead. Ashlyn Flinchum of Ventura finished with nine-strikeouts in a complete game.
GAME 4: Mesa 2, Antelope Valley College 8
The final game of the weekend saw the Olympians falling to Antelop Valley College 2-8, bringing their season record to 2-2. The Marauders were able to capitalize early, scoring 6 runs in the first inning. Arianna Salazar contributed with an RBI double in the bottom of the first inning bringing home Ambria Guye. Jolene Giles also provided the Olympians other score, with an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning, bringing home Topolinski.
Due to weather, the game on Monday, January 30 against Saddleback College has been rescheduled for March 13, 2023. The Olympians will be back on the field on Friday, February 3 as they take on Cypress College at 10:00 a.m. followed by East Los Angeles at 12:00 p.m.
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If you have any questions, please call the SD Mesa Sports Information Desk at 619-305-8764